L E A R N

I wasn't sure if I should create a page titled "Learning" as I strongly believe everything that happens between birth and age 5 is learning, but this page will serve as a repository of links, resources and articles that I've found relevant for our learning activities at home.

A bit about what we do now:

While Claire does not attend a formal Pre-School, she participates in an independent story-time experience at our local library (a blissful hour of uninterrupted library time for me), and we take a bunch of town sponsored classes together each season - usually something craft or physical activity related.

Here are a few examples of what we do at home:

We spend a lot of time working on projects to keep our feathered friends happy in their feeding stations throughout our backyard. Observing and learning about the critters who visit occupy Claire many winter days when it's too cold to play outside.

A nature table set up next to the front door is a perfect repository for all the goodies Claire collects. We keep a magnifying glass handy for close examination.

There is a chalkboard hanging in our kitchen that we utilize both for art and instruction. I'll often write out letters for Claire during breakfast and she easily learned the alphabet and all the letter sounds this way. Next up long vowels and blends!

I think caring for your living environment is an important skill so Claire has a few chores she completes around the house: toy pick up (into baskets), watering the plants and emptying the silverware from the dishwasher, which is a great sorting activity!

Above all we read, read, read! Sharing a good book with our daughter is one of the joys of parenting. Claire loves audio books both in the car and at home where she can follow along.